Low-maintenance coatings

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a substrate bearing a low-maintenance coating. The coating includes at least two films: a base film optionally comprising silica (e.g., silicon dioxide) and a film comprising titania (e.g., titanium dioxide). The invention also provides methods of depositing such coatings.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to provisional U.S. patentapplication filed Jul. 12, 2004 and assigned Ser. No. 60/587,210, andprovisional U.S. patent application filed Mar. 7, 2005 and assigned Ser.No. 60/659,491, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides thin film coatings for glass sheets andother substrates. More particularly, the invention provides thin filmcoatings including film comprising titania over a base layer, such assilica. The invention also provides methods of depositing such coatingsonto glass sheets and other substrates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For many years, it has been known that titanium dioxide can be used as aphotocatalyst. A great deal of research has been done with a view towardproviding coatings that have self-cleaning properties. The pursuit ofself-cleaning window coatings, in particular, has been an active fieldof exploration. These coatings typically involve a titanium dioxidelayer on a glass pane. The coatings are commonly provided with arelatively thick layer of titanium dioxide and/or a specific under-layersystem designed for achieving high levels of photoactivity. Thicktitanium dioxide layers, unfortunately, produce high levels of visiblereflectance, thus creating a somewhat mirror-like appearance. This highvisible reflection tends to exaggerate the appearance of dirt on awindow. Further, some known under-layer systems teach that specificmaterials and crystal structures must be used for the under-layerfilm(s) to achieve acceptable photoactivity levels. Moreover, some knownphotocatalytic coatings are said to require heating during filmdeposition to achieve acceptable levels of photoactivity.

Known photocatalytic coatings also tend to have properties that are lessthan ideal for window applications. As noted above, the visiblereflectance of some known photocatalytic coatings is unacceptably high.Moreover, the reflected colors of these coatings tend not to be ideal.Further, some of these coatings have particularly rough surfaces, sincethey are designed to have large surface areas that facilitate highphotoactivity levels. These rough coatings, unfortunately, tend to bequite vulnerable to being abraded. They are also particularlysusceptible to taking on and stubbornly retaining dirt and othercontaminants. Finally, with some recent photocatalytic coatings (e.g.,those having complex under-layer systems), it is unclear whether thesecoatings will exhibit the longevity (e.g., in-field durability overtime) that is required for number-one-surface coatings.

The present invention provides low-maintenance coatings that offerexceptional durability, exceptional optical properties, reliableproduction processes, and surprising cleanliness/maintenance properties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially broken-away schematic cross-sectional side view ofa substrate bearing a low-maintenance coating in accordance with certainembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away schematic cross-sectional side view ofa substrate bearing a low-maintenance coating and a low-emissivitycoating in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken-away schematic cross-sectional side view ofan insulating glass unit incorporating a substrate bearing alow-maintenance coating and a low-emissivity coating in accordance withcertain embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partially broken-away perspective view of a window panebearing a low-maintenance coating, the pane is mounted in an exteriorwall of a building in accordance with certain embodiments of theinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a sputtering chamber that is adaptedfor use in certain methods of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is to be read with reference to thedrawings, in which like elements in different drawings have likereference numerals. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale,depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention. Skilled artisans will recognize that the given exampleshave many alternatives that fall within the scope of the invention.

Many embodiments of the invention involve a coated substrate. A widevariety of substrate types are suitable for use in the invention. Insome embodiments, the substrate 10 is a sheet-like substrate havinggenerally opposed first 12 and second 14 major surfaces. For example,the substrate can be a sheet of transparent material (i.e., atransparent sheet). The substrate, however, is not required to be asheet, nor is it required to transparent.

The substrate can optionally be a component of any of a variety ofbuilding materials. Examples of anticipated applications includeembodiments wherein the substrate is a sash (e.g., a window sash or adoor sash), a siding panel (e.g., an aluminum siding panel), a tentpanel, a tarpaulin (e.g., a fluorocarbon polymer tarpaulin), a plasticfilm (e.g., a fluorocarbon plastic film), a roofing shingle, a windowblind (such as a metal, plastic, or paper window blind), a paper screen(e.g., a shoji), a railing, a baluster, or an escutcheon. In oneembodiment, the substrate is a ceramic tile, such as a wall, ceiling, orfloor tile. In another embodiment, the substrate is a glass block. Avariety of suitable glass blocks can be obtained commercially fromSaint-Gobain Oberland (Koblenz, Germany). In still other embodiments,the substrate is a polyester film, a polyethylene film, a terephthalatefilm, etc. Suitable films of this nature can be obtained commerciallyfrom Nippon Soda Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan). In further embodiments, thesubstrate is a fence or wall, such as a noise-reduction fence or wall.

Other anticipated applications include embodiments wherein the substrate10 is part of a sink, toilet, urinal cover, lighting fixture, a coverfor a lighting fixture (e.g., a lamp cover), or another bathroom fixtureor appliance. Still further, the substrate in one embodiment is a key,button, or key pad for a computer or another machine. In yet anotherembodiment, the substrate is an article of paper clothing (e.g., apaper-based shirt, dress, or pants for medical professionals), anarticle of cloth clothing, or an article of clothing of another fabric.

For many applications, the substrate will comprise a transparent (or atleast translucent) material, such as glass or clear plastic. Forexample, the substrate is a glass sheet (e.g., a window pane) in certainembodiments. A variety of known glass types can be used, and soda-limeglass will commonly be preferred. In certain preferred embodiments, thesubstrate is part of a window, skylight, door, or other glazing. In somecases, the substrate is part of an automobile windshield, an automobileside window, an exterior or interior rear-view mirror, a bumper, ahubcap, a windshield wiper, or an automobile hood panel, side panel,trunk panel, or roof panel. In other embodiments, the substrate is apiece of aquarium glass, a plastic aquarium window, or a piece ofgreenhouse glass. In a further embodiment, the substrate is arefrigerator panel, such as part of a refrigerator door or window.

Substrates of various sizes can be used in the present invention.Commonly, large-area substrates are used. Certain embodiments involve asubstrate having a major dimension (e.g., a length or width) of at leastabout 0.5 meter, preferably at least about 1 meter, perhaps morepreferably at least about 1.5 meters (e.g., between about 2 meters andabout 4 meters), and in some cases at least about 3 meters. In someembodiments, the substrate is a jumbo glass sheet having a length and/orwidth that is between about 3 meters and about 10 meters, e.g., a glasssheet having a width of about 3.5 meters and a length of about 6.5meters. Substrates having a length and/or width of greater than about 10meters are also anticipated.

In some embodiments, the substrate is a generally square or rectangularglass sheet. The substrate in these embodiments can have any of thedimensions described in the preceding paragraph and/or in the followingparagraph. In one particular embodiment, the substrate is a generallyrectangular glass sheet having a width of between about 3 meters andabout 5 meters, such as about 3.5 meters, and a length of between about6 meters and about 10 meters, such as about 6.5 meters.

Substrates of various thicknesses can be used in the present invention.In some embodiments, the substrate (which can optionally be a glasssheet) has a thickness of about 1-5 mm. Certain embodiments involve asubstrate with a thickness of between about 2.3 mm and about 4.8 mm, andperhaps more preferably between about 2.5 mm and about 4.8 mm. In oneparticular embodiment, a sheet of glass (e.g., soda-lime glass) with athickness of about 3 mm is used. In one group of embodiments, thethickness of the substrate (which can be glass, plastic, or anothermaterial) is between about 4 mm and about 20 mm. Thicknesses in thisrange, for example, may be useful for aquarium tanks (in which case, thesubstrate can optionally be glass or acrylic). When the substrate isfloat glass, it will commonly have a thickness of between about 4 mm andabout 19 mm. In another group of embodiments, the substrate is a thinsheet (e.g., of glass) having a thickness of between about 0.35 mm andabout 1.9 mm. Embodiments of this nature can optionally involve thesubstrate being a sheet of display glass or the like.

With reference to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments, the invention providesa substrate 10 bearing a low-maintenance coating 40. The coating 40 ispreferably deposited over (e.g., over an entirety of) a major surface 12of the substrate 10. The low-maintenance coating 40 includes at leasttwo films: (1) a base film 30 deposited over a major surface 12 of thesubstrate 10; and (2) a titania-containing film 50 deposited over thebase film 30. The term “titanium-containing” is used herein to refer toa material that includes at least some titania. Likewise, the term“silicon-containing” is used herein to refer to a material that includesat least some silicon.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the base film 30 isdeposited directly over the substrate 10 (e.g., directly over a majorsurface 12 of the substrate). The base film 30 generally comprises anydielectric film. In preferred embodiments, this film 30 comprises, orconsists essentially of, silica (e.g., silicon dioxide). When the basefilm 30 is a silica film, it can include small amounts of anelectrically-conductive material, such as aluminum, which may beoxidized in the film 30. For example, this film 30 can be deposited bysputtering a silicon-containing target that includes a small amount ofaluminum or another metal that enhances the electrical conductivity ofthe target. The base film 30 (an entire thickness of which may compriseor consist essentially of silica) preferably has (e.g., is deposited at)a physical thickness of less than about 300 angstroms, and morepreferably less than 100 angstroms. In certain embodiments, the film 30is less than 95 angstroms. These small thicknesses facilitate asurprisingly array of exceptional properties in the present coating.

The coating 40 includes a titania-containing film 50 that desirably isdeposited directly over the base film 30. In certain embodiments, thetitania-containing film 50 is deposited directly over an entirely orsubstantially amorphous base film. In some of these embodiments, thesubstrate is a glass sheet that has been subjected to apost-coating-deposition glass tempering procedure, and the base film 30is entirely or substantially amorphous, such that the titania-containingfilm 50 is directly over an entirely or substantially amorphous basefilm.

The titania-containing film 50 can comprise one or more other materials,such as oxides of iron, silver, copper, tungsten, aluminum, zinc,strontium, palladium, gold, platinum, nickel, cobalt, or combinationsthereof. Preferably a major percentage (e.g., by weight) of the film 50is titania. In preferred embodiments, this film 50 consists essentiallyof, or consists of, titanium dioxide. In some embodiments, though, thefilm 50 consists essentially of, or consists of, substoichiometrictitanium oxide (TiO_(x), where x is less than 2). The film 50 (an entirethickness of which may consist essentially of titania) desirably has(e.g., is deposited at) a physical thickness of less than 100 angstroms.In preferred embodiments, the film 50 has a thickness of less than 50angstroms, preferably less than 40 angstroms, and more preferably lessthan 35 angstroms. In one particular embodiment, the film 50 has athickness of between about 5 angstroms and about 30 angstroms.

It has been discovered that the film 50 when provided at these verysmall thicknesses provides surprisingly advantageous low maintenanceproperties, while at the same time achieving exceptionally low visiblereflection, neutral color, and exceptional durability. Moreover, in someembodiments, the film 50 is a sputtered film (optionally sputteredreactively using one or more metallic targets consisting essentially oftitanium) deposited at low temperatures (e.g., sputter deposited whilemaintaining the substrate at less than about 250 degrees Celsius andpreferably less than 200 degrees Celsius), and it is perhaps moresurprising that a sputtered film of this nature exhibits such usefullow-maintenance properties.

One group of embodiments provides a substrate 10 (e.g., a glass sheet)having a first major surface 12 directly over which is deposited thebase film 30 at a thickness of less than about 300 angstroms, whereinthe titania-containing film is deposited directly over the base film 30at a thickness of less than 50 angstroms. In these embodiments, the basefilm 30 preferably comprises a dielectric material. As noted above,silica is used in some embodiments.

Certain particular embodiments provide a substrate 10 (e.g., a glasssheet) having a first major surface 12 directly over which is depositeda base film 30 consisting essentially of silica (e.g., SO₂) at athickness of between about 70 angstroms and about 120 angstroms, whereina film 50 consisting essentially of titania (e.g., TiO₂) is depositeddirectly over the base film 30 at a thickness of between about 30angstroms and about 300 angstroms. In some preferred embodiments of thisnature, the base film 30 has a thickness of between about 70 angstromsand about 120 angstroms, perhaps optimally about 100 angstroms, whilethe titania-containing film 50 has a thickness of between about 30angstroms and about 120 angstroms, perhaps optimally about 100angstroms.

In a further embodiment, the thickness of the titania-containing film 50is less than 100 angstroms (and optionally less than about 80 angstroms)but greater than about 30 angstroms, while the base film 30 has athickness of less than about 300 angstroms (and optionally less thanabout 100 angstroms) but greater than about 30 angstroms. In some casesof this nature, the base film consists essentially of silica while thetitania-containing film consists essentially of titania.

Certain embodiments provide a substrate 10 (e.g., a glass sheet) havinga first major surface 12 directly over which is deposited a base film 30consisting essentially of silica (e.g., SiO₂) at a thickness of lessthan 100 angstroms, wherein a titania-containing film 50 consistingessentially of titania (e.g., TiO₂) is deposited directly over the basefilm 30 at a thickness of less than 50 angstroms. In some preferredembodiments of this nature, the base film 30 has a thickness of about 90angstroms, while the titania-containing film 50 has a thickness of about25 angstroms. Following is an exemplary embodiment of this nature:

air 25 angstroms TiO2 90 angstroms SiO2 glass

The diagram above exemplifies one coating of a group of embodimentswherein there is provided a substrate 10 having a first major surface 12over which is deposited the base film 30, wherein thetitanium-containing film 50 is deposited directly over the base film 30,and each of these two films has a thickness of less than 100 angstroms.In the diagram above, the base film comprises silica, although this isnot required in all of the present embodiments. The base film 30 in thepresent group of embodiments can optionally be deposited directly overthe substrate.

In the present coating 40, the film 50 desirably is the outermost filmof the coating. Conventional wisdom in the art would suggest that thevery small thicknesses of the present coating 40 would not yield enoughphotoactivity to give useful properties, especially for embodimentswhere the film 50 is sputtered. Surprisingly, though, the presentcoating exhibits photoactivity levels that are believed to beadvantageous for keeping windows (e.g., monolithic panes or IG units)free of particular contaminants that tend to build up on windows duringthe course of routine manufacturing. The present coating also exhibitsadvantageous water-sheeting properties, while at the same time havingexceptional optical properties and durability.

With reference to FIG. 2, the illustrated substrate 10 is provided withtwo coatings: the low-maintenance coating 40 on the first surface 12 ofthe substrate and a low-emissivity coating 80 on the second surface 14of the substrate. The low-emissivity coating 80 is optional. Whenprovided, any desired low-emissivity coating can be used. Suitableexamples of a low-emissivity coating are described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/728,435, entitled “Haze-Resistant TransparentFilm Stacks”, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein byreference.

With reference to FIG. 3, the substrate 10 can be part of an insulatingglass unit 110. Typically, an insulating glass unit 110 has an exteriorpane 10 and an interior pane 10′ separated by a between-pane space 800.A spacer 900 (which can optionally be part of a sash) is commonlyprovided to separate the panes 10 and 10′. The spacer can be secured tothe interior surfaces of each pane using an adhesive 700. In some cases,an end sealant 600 is provided.

In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior pane 10 has an exteriorsurface 12 and an interior surface 14. The interior pane 10′ has aninterior surface 16 and an exterior surface 18. The pane 10 can bemounted in a frame (e.g., a window frame) such that the exterior surface12 is exposed to an outdoor environment (e.g., such that the lowmaintenance coating 40 is exposed to such an environment). Interiorsurfaces 14 and 16 are both exposed to the atmosphere in thebetween-pane space 800 of the insulating glass unit. The optionallow-emissivity coating 80 can be positioned on either one of theinterior surfaces 14 or 16. In FIG. 3, the low-emissivity coating 80 ispositioned on the interior surface 14.

With reference to FIG. 4, the low-maintenance coating 40 is preferablyon the “first” surface of a window. FIG. 4 exemplifies embodimentswherein the substrate 10 (which may be a glass pane) is a window panethat is mounted on a window frame 95 (e.g., in an exterior wall 98 of abuilding 99). In certain applications, the coated first surface (i.e.,surface 12) of such a window will be exposed to an outdoor environment(e.g., such that the coating 40 will be in periodic contact with rain).In another embodiment, the low-maintenance coating is applied to a“fourth” surface of a window (e.g., the #4 surface of a double-panewindow unit), optionally in addition to providing a low-maintenancecoating on the first surface of the same window. Further, in monolithicwindows, the low-maintenance coating 40 can be provided on only the #1surface, on only the #2 surface, or on both the #1 and #2 surfaces.

The invention also provides methods for producing coated substrates.These methods involve depositing the low-maintenance coating 40 (i.e.,by depositing each film of any embodiment described above) upon asubstrate 10. As noted above, the low-maintenance coating includes atleast two films. These films 30, 50 can be deposited by a variety ofwell known coating techniques. In certain embodiments, the coating 40(or at least the film 50) is deposited by sputtering, optionally at alow temperature (e.g., while maintaining the substrate at below about250 degrees Celsius, and perhaps more preferably below 200 degreesCelsius). Alternatively, other coating techniques can be used, includingchemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapordeposition, and pyrolytic deposition. Various embodiments of the coating40 have been described, and the present methods involve depositing anyof the described coating embodiments by any thin film deposition method.

Sputtering is well known in the present art. FIG. 5 depicts an exemplarymagnetron sputtering chamber 200. Magnetron sputtering chambers andrelated equipment are commercially available from a variety of sources(e.g., Leybold). Useful magnetron sputtering techniques and equipmentare described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,018, issued to Chapin, the entireteachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The illustrated sputtering chamber 200 includes a base (or “floor”) 220,a plurality of side walls 222, and a ceiling (or “top lid” or “cover”)230, together bounding a sputtering cavity 202. In FIG. 5, two uppertargets 80 are mounted above the path of substrate travel 45.Alternatively, the coating 40 can be deposited by an upward sputteringmethod. Either way, the substrate 10 is conveyed along the path ofsubstrate travel 45 during film deposition, optionally over a pluralityof spaced-apart transport rollers 210. In FIG. 5, two upper targets areprovided, although this is by no means required. For example, a singleupper or lower target could alternatively be used in each chamber.Moreover, the chamber can include one or more upper and/or lower planartargets, although cylindrical targets are shown.

As noted above, the invention provides methods of producing a coatedsubstrate by sputter depositing onto the substrate each film of anycoating embodiment described in the present disclosure. Preferably, thesputtering of the coating 40 (or at least the sputtering of thetitania-containing film 50) is carried out while maintaining thesubstrate at a temperature of less than about 250 degrees Celsius, andmore preferably less than 200 degrees Celsius (e.g., withoutsupplemental heating of the substrate). In such cases, the coatingpreferably is sputter deposited without any supplemental means fordelivering energy to the growing film (e.g., without any heating of thesubstrate beyond that which occurs normally from the plasma and ionbombardment of conventional sputtering). In other cases, the film isdeposited by a sputter deposition technique that includes a supplementalheating (or other supplemental energy delivery).

In certain methods of the invention, the low-maintenance coating 40 isapplied to a substrate 10 in a multiple-chamber sputtering line.Sputtering lines are well known in the present art. A typical sputteringline includes a series of coat zones, or sputtering chambers, alignedand connected such that a sheet-like substrate can be passed from onecoat zone to the next by conveying the substrate horizontally overspaced-apart transport rollers 210 in each of the zones (the rollersform a continuous path of substrate travel 45 through the sputteringline). The substrate is typically conveyed at speeds of between about100-500 inches per minute.

In one particular method, the substrate 10 is positioned at the inlet ofthe sputtering line and conveyed through a series of sputtering bays.Each bay is provided with one cathode having two rotatable cylindricaltargets. The substrate 10 is conveyed at a rate of about 350 inches perminute, while sputtering each target at a desired power level.

First, the substrate is conveyed through five sputtering bays that areadapted to deposit the base film 30. In more detail, each bay has acathode comprising two silicon sputtering targets. The silicon targetsin these bays are sputtered in oxidizing atmosphere to deposit a silicondioxide film directly upon the first major surface 12 of the substrate.The atmosphere in each of these bays may consist essentially of oxygen(e.g., about 100% O₂). Alternatively, the atmosphere may comprise Ar/O₂(e.g., oxygen and up to about 40% argon). A power of about 57 kW isapplied to each of these cathodes. The substrate 10 is conveyed beneaththe targets at a rate of about 350 inches per minute, while sputteringeach of these targets at the 57 kW power level. This results in thedeposition of a silicon dioxide base film having a thickness of about 90Å. As noted above, each silicon target may include some aluminum oranother material to enhance the conductivity of the target.

The substrate is then conveyed through four more sputtering bays todeposit the titania-containing film 50. Each of these bays has a cathodecomprising two titanium sputtering targets. These titanium targets aresputtered in an oxidizing atmosphere to deposit a titanium dioxide filmdirectly upon the base film 30. The atmosphere in each such bay mayconsist essentially of oxygen. Alternatively, the atmosphere maycomprise Ar/O₂. A power of about 100 kW is applied to each of thesecathodes. The substrate 10 is conveyed beneath the targets at a rate ofabout 350 inches per minute, while sputtering each of these targets atthe 100 kW power level. This results in the deposition of a titaniumdioxide film having a thickness of about 25 Å. This titanium dioxideforms the outermost portion of the coating 40 (and is exposed) in thepresent embodiment.

In the method just described, it is to be appreciated that the secondmajor surface 14 of the substrate 10 may previously have been, or maysubsequently be, coated with an optional low-emissivity coating 80. Forinstance, the coat zones just described for use in depositing the basefilm 30 and titania-containing film 50 can be a sputter-up coat zoneslocated toward the end of a sputtering line that includes a relativelylarge number of preceding sputter-down coat zones in which the optionallow-emissivity coating 80 may have been applied. Particularly usefulsputter-up/sputter-down methods and equipment are described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/868,542, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it should be understood that numerous changes, adaptations,and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spiritof the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A low-maintenance coating on a substrate, thecoating comprising a base film positioned directly over a first majorsurface of the substrate and a film comprising titania positioneddirectly over the base film, wherein the base film has a thickness ofless than about 100 angstroms, and wherein the film comprising titaniahas a thickness of less than 50 angstroms.
 2. The low-maintenancecoating of claim 1 wherein the film comprising titania includes titaniumdioxide or substoichiometric titanium oxide.
 3. The low-maintenancecoating of claim 1 wherein the base film comprises silica.
 4. Thelow-maintenance coating of claim 3 wherein the base film consistsessentially of silicon dioxide.
 5. The low-maintenance coating of claim1 wherein the film comprising titania has a thickness of less than 35angstroms.
 6. The low-maintenance coating of claim 1 wherein the filmcomprising titania has a thickness of between about 5 angstroms andabout 30 angstroms.
 7. The low-maintenance coating of claim 1 whereinthe substrate is a window pane mounted in a window frame, and whereinthe coated first major surface is exposed to an outdoor environment. 8.The low-maintenance coating of claim 1 wherein the base film and filmcomprising titania are both sputtered films.
 9. A low-maintenancecoating on a glass sheet, the coating comprising a base film positionedover a first major surface of the glass sheet and a film comprisingtitania positioned directly over the base film, wherein the base filmcomprises silica and has a thickness of less than 100 angstroms, andwherein the film comprising titania has a thickness of less than 100angstroms.
 10. The low-maintenance coating of claim 9 wherein the filmcomprising titania comprises titanium dioxide or substoichiometrictitanium oxide.
 11. The low-maintenance coating of claim 9 wherein thebase film consists essentially of silicon dioxide.
 12. Thelow-maintenance coating of claim 9 wherein the film comprising titaniahas a thickness of less than 50 angstroms
 13. The low-maintenancecoating of claim 9 wherein the film comprising titania has a thicknessof less than 35 angstroms.
 14. The low-maintenance coating of claim 9wherein the film comprising titania has a thickness of between about 5angstroms and about 30 angstroms.
 15. The low-maintenance coating ofclaim 9 wherein the glass sheet is a window pane mounted in a windowframe, and wherein the coated first major surface is exposed to anoutdoor environment.
 16. The low-maintenance coating of claim 9 whereinthe silica base film and film comprising titania are both sputteredfilms.
 17. An insulating glass unit comprising two spaced-apart panesbounding a between-pane space, wherein at least one of the panes has adesired major surface bearing a low-maintenance coating, wherein saiddesired major surface is an exterior surface of the unit and faces awayfrom the between-pane space, the coating comprising a base filmpositioned directly over said desired major surface and a filmcomprising titania positioned directly over the base film, wherein thebase film comprises silica has a thickness of less than 100 angstromsand the film comprising titania has a thickness of less than 50angstroms.
 18. The low-maintenance coating of claim 3 wherein the basefilm further comprises an oxidized electrically conductive material. 19.The low-maintenance coating of claim 18 wherein the electricallyconductive material is aluminum.
 20. The low-maintenance coating ofclaim 1 wherein the film comprising titania further comprises a materialselected from the group consisting of oxides of iron, silver, copper,tungsten, aluminum, zinc, strontium, palladium, gold, platinum, nickel,and cobalt.
 21. The low-maintenance coating of claim 1 wherein the filmcomprising titania is an outermost film of the coating.
 22. Thelow-maintenance coating of claim 9 wherein the film comprising titaniais an outermost film of the coating.
 23. The low-maintenance coating ofclaim 17 wherein the film comprising titania is an outermost film of thecoating.
 24. A low-maintenance coating on a glass sheet, the coatingcomprising a base film extending directly from a first major surface ofthe glass sheet to a thickness of less than about 100 angstroms, and afilm comprising titania extending directly from a surface of the basefilm to a thickness of less than 50 angstroms.
 25. The low-maintenancecoating of claim 24 wherein the film comprising titania includestitanium dioxide or substoichiometric titanium oxide.
 26. Thelow-maintenance coating of claim 24 wherein the base film comprisessilica.
 27. The low-maintenance coating of claim 26 wherein the basefilm consists essentially of silicon dioxide.
 28. The low-maintenancecoating of claim 24 wherein the film comprising titania has a thicknessof less than 35 angstroms.
 29. The low-maintenance coating of claim 24wherein the film comprising titania has a thickness of between about 5angstroms and about 30 angstroms.
 30. The low-maintenance coating ofclaim 24 wherein the glass sheet is a window pane mounted in a windowframe, and wherein the coated first major surface is exposed to anoutdoor environment.
 31. The low-maintenance coating of claim 24 whereinthe base film and film comprising titania are both sputtered films. 32.A low-maintenance coating on a glass sheet, the coating comprising abase film deposited directly over a first major surface of the glasssheet and having a thickness of less than 100 angstroms but greater thanabout 30 angstroms, and a film comprising titania deposited directlyover the base film and having a thickness of less 100 angstroms butgreater than about 30 angstroms.
 33. The low-maintenance coating ofclaim 32 wherein the base film comprises silica that includes anelectrically conductive material present in an oxidized form.
 34. Thelow-maintenance coating of claim 33 wherein the base film consistsessentially of silicon dioxide.
 35. The low-maintenance coating of claim32 wherein the base film is a silica film containing aluminum oxide. 36.The low-maintenance coating of claim 32 wherein the film comprisingtitania includes titanium dioxide or substoichiometric titanium oxide.37. The low-maintenance coating of claim 32 wherein the glass sheet is awindow pane mounted in a window frame, and wherein the coated firstmajor surface is exposed to an outdoor environment.
 38. Thelow-maintenance coating of claim 32 wherein the base film and filmcomprising titania are both sputtered films.
 39. The low-maintenancecoating of claim 32 wherein the glass sheet is soda-lime glass.
 40. Thelow-maintenance coating of claim 32 wherein the glass sheet is part ofan insulating glass unit.